Canard Vineyard ‘The Rescuer’ Red 2014, Calistoga Estate, Napa Valley, California

Canard Vineyard has been producing wine commercially in the Napa Valley since 1984. Today 22 acres of vines are planted on the property – it’s a very historic site. Rich and Carolyn Czapleski are only the properties’ 4th owners since the original owner acquired the land from a General Vallejo land grant. The vines at Canard are all head trained, weathered by time, yet still resilient and producing fruit, albeit in small quantities. The vines produce merely between 1 to 2 tons per acre. They are dry farmed – the ground is tilled in the spring and enough moisture remains within the soil for the vines to survive the dry months throughout the Summer and into the Fall. Named after Reason P. Tucker, who lead the efforts to rescue the survivors of the ill-fated Donner Party, and who also built the farmhouse in 1859 on what is now Canard Vineyard. “We pay homage to Pomerol with this Merlot-driven proprietary blend.” It shows star anise, crushed clove, dried sage and black cherry on the nose. Ultra-fat mid palate yields to a silky smooth finish of cinnamon toast, fresh blueberries and coffee that will stay with you for a long time. Aged in French oak to create a long-tern, age-worthy blend. 2014 vintage – 90% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc

$85.99